After the quartet had recovered from laughing so hard their ribs ached from watching their pets chase the stone heads about, they had continued on. It wasn’t long before everything went from roughly hewn tunnels to things that they might have found on the topside with how things were laid out. Ichi was looking around curiously, sniffing at the air every so often, especially when they found a room that seemed to contain books and other things strewn about. Ritsu looked at his cousin curiously. “Something bothering you?” Ichi startled a little bit before looking over. “Oh, just Kagato said he was in an area before he found us right? Was wondering if he lost his gear near here.” At the mention of the gold course Ritsu’s face soured. “He probably already got his crap Ich, don’t worry about it.” Ichi’s brow furrowed softly. “But we don’t know, it wouldn’t hurt to check.” Ritsu made a face and had to stop himself from stomping away. He decided that he’d keep watch for now.
Kiyomi, the dusty gold champagne, however had been listening. “It’s not a bad idea Ichi, but the dungeons are a big place so this may not be where he lost it. And Ritsu’s right, he may have already retrieved it.” Ritsu stuck out his tongue behind his Auntie’s back, grumbling. What was so good about that damn golden boy anyways? He was tiny, seemed to be cursed too. All of their previous expeditions into the dungeons had been met with failure once he joined them. After all He and Hess had been doing fine just the two of them. His tail lashed furiously, stirring up dust that made him start to cough.
Kiru in the meantime had been busying himself with the paperwork, pouring over it curiously. However, as he shuffled about a particularly interesting section he neglected to stay wary of his surroundings and missed the pressure plate that he stepped on quite firmly. His head shot up at the sound of gears, his family member’s repeating the gesture as they all braced themselves from the sudden movement. ICU however floated over, swatting Kiru in the head with his tentacles.Ritsu sneezed as the movement stopped and his nose was assaulted by the stale air that swept in. His gaze shot to the door they had entered by and released a sigh of dismay. “Great….” It was gone.
Kiyomi frowned, looking over at her cousin before following his gaze. “Oh, that’s a lovely predicament.” She said quite dryly. Kiru coughed innocently. “Well, let’s see.” He murmured, lifting his hoof to try and step on the plate again to reset everything. He frowned when nothing shifted. He tried again, stomping harder yet nothing. Ichi frowned softly. “You probably broke it the first time Kiyo…” Kiru sighed heavily. “Of course. I guess our only way back is forward now.” Ritsu stared at him. “You’re taking the fault if something happens.” Kiru glanced back. “Mhmm, we’ll see about that.” Kiyomi stared between the two. “Kiyoteru…” The woad flinched and sighed. “Yes mother.” He turned, not before shooting a glare at Ritsu.
Kiru walked to one of the new doorways and sniffed curiously before looking back. “Aight, Mister Mighty Dungeon Delver. Which way we going since you can do no wrong?” Ritsu stuck out his tongue as Kiyomi frowned. “Boys.” She said simply but loud enough for the two bickering stallions to hear her. They both froze, looking back to her before bowing their heads and going silent. Kiyomi looked to Seiichi softly. “Why don’t you pick which way we go Ichi?” She continued softly and Ichi nodded, looking between the doorways and deciding his pick in silence, just walking through the one that he had chosen, his family following suit.